Tick fever is a potentially fatal disease that is primarily transmitted by ticks and can even be contracted during dog fights. There are two main types of tick parasites in Hong Kong, namely Ashilischeri and Babesia. Once your dog is infected with tick fever, clinical signs include whitening of the gums, loss of strength, anorexia, weight loss, fever and spontaneous bleeding.
Once a dog is confirmed to have tick fever, it must be treated with medication, but this does not mean that the infection can be completely eliminated. It means that the dog may have a recurrence of tick fever in the future. If the dog is severely anemic, a blood transfusion is necessary. However, it is worth noting that blood transfusions carry potential risks, such as allergic reactions, acute hemolysis, shock, etc. These transfusion reactions can also be fatal. Therefore, as veterinarians, we often recommend prevention rather than cure.
Tick fever prevention methods:
🔹 Anti-tick neck drops
Monthly tick drops are the most common method. Besides being safe, quick and easy to use, ticks attached to the dog's body are killed before they can transmit tick fever. If you often take your dog to the park or hiking, you can choose to use tick drops once every two weeks to ensure safety. But remember that even if your dog mainly stays indoors, regular parasite control is essential.
🔹Anti-tick belt
Tick tape is another method of controlling ticks, but its effectiveness is greatly reduced once it comes into contact with water. If a dog swallows a tick tape, it may cause poisoning and must be treated with medication immediately.
🔹Anti-tick spray
Tick spray can be used to enhance protection. Since ticks can survive in places not sprayed, tick spray should be used together with other tick products. Before going out, remember to use the spray on all parts of the dog's body, including parts of the body where ticks are commonly found, such as the paws, ears and tail.
🔹Manage your dog
When you take your dog out, you must put them on a leash to prevent fighting between dogs. More importantly, avoid them walking into grass with more ticks.
🔹Search for ticks
No preventive product can provide 100% protection, so it is important to check your dog's body and the inside and outside of the mattress every day. You should also take good care of the body after each outing, especially the common body parts mentioned above. If you see a tick, you should remove it immediately and put it in a sealed container containing alcohol. Do not discard it casually, because the tick is very resilient and may continue to stay in your home. If you have any doubts, take it to your veterinarian for confirmation.
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